The car came to a sudden halt, jolting the driver. His heart skipped a beat. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and glanced nervously at the young man sitting in the back seat.
His boss lifted his eyes slightly from the tablet he was scrolling through. His lips pressed into a thin line. His voice was cold: “Why have we stopped?” The driver’s pulse quickened. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his hands. “A woman… she fainted in front of the car.” Silence filled the air, thick and suffocating. The boss didn’t move. The driver waited, heart racing. Finally, the boss’s voice cut through the silence, icy and calm: “Check who it is.” The driver’s eyes widened. This wasn’t like him at all. He hesitated before stepping out, his steps heavy. Kneeling beside the woman, he checked her pulse. His heart sank—her pulse was erratic. His voice trembled. “Boss… her pulse is irregular. She needs to go to the hospital now…” The driver fell silent, staring nervously at his boss. Why did he care so much for this woman? Was it pity? Or something else? The boss remained expressionless. “Bring her in.” The driver hesitated, then muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable…He’s being kinder today.” Carefully, he lifted Astrid and placed her in the car. He hesitated again, not sure how to handle her. “Boss, can you move to the front seat so I can lay her down in the back?” The young man’s gaze was cold, his lips were tight. “Put her in the trunk.” The driver froze. How could he even suggest putting a dying person in the trunk? But the boss remained impassive. The driver tired from carrying Astrid, adjusted her position and spoke cautiously, “She’ll suffocate back there. She needs some fresh air.” The boss remained silent, his eyes narrowing. The driver could feel the weight of his gaze. A long moment passed before the boss got out and moved to the front seat. The driver breathed a quiet sigh of relief and placed Astrid gently inside before getting behind the wheel. The hospital rushed by in a blur. When they arrived, the driver moved quickly, carrying Astrid inside. The young man followed, observing his driver’s unexpected tender care for the woman as if he were her boyfriend. He shook his head in amusement, “Has he really fallen for this miserable girl?” Inside the hospital, Astrid was taken to a VIP ward, and everything was handled swiftly. When she woke, the sterile scent of the room made her feel disoriented. IV tubes were connected to her arm, and she looked around, trying to piece together what had happened. "Where am I?" she muttered. A doctor entered, adjusting her IV. "You're awake," he said, his tone neutral. She tried to sit up, but dizziness pulled her back down. “How did I get here?” "You were brought in by an anonymous person," the doctor explained. “How long have I been here?” Her voice was shaky as memories slowly returned. “Three days.” “Three days?” Astrid’s eyes widened. “But… I don’t remember…” She fell silent as the doctor’s serious tone cut through her confusion. “Miss, if I may ask, why would you take so many contraceptives while pregnant?” The doctor’s voice was filled with concern. “You almost lost the baby.” Astrid’s breath caught. “What did you say?” Her grip tightened on the doctor’s arm. “Why would you take so many contraceptives when you’re pregnant?” he repeated, his voice firm but full of concern. “Pregnant?” Astrid whispered, the shock hitting her like a punch. She hadn’t even known. The words felt like an unexpected dream, and for a moment, she couldn’t process them. The doctor nodded. “One month along.” Astrid stared down at her stomach, her mind spinning. I’m pregnant? She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified. What was she supposed to do now? She had no idea how to break the news to Riven. The doctor continued, offering advice and instructions, but Astrid barely heard him. She was lost in thought. When she was finally discharged, she discovered that the bill had already been taken care of. She didn’t question it. Without a second thought, Astrid left the hospital and took a cab straight to Slade’s mansion. Astrid stood in front of the Slade mansion, the huge villa that felt like a cage, it was cold and unwelcome. Her hands clenched into a tight fist. Her chest heaved in anxiety, and her mind was filled with many thoughts. What was waiting for her? She had stayed outside for three days, how did they feel? As she arrived, the security guard hurried over. “Madam, where have you been?” His voice was filled with concern. “It’s a long story,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Has Riven arrived?” “Yes, but…” The guard trailed off, lowering his gaze. Astrid didn’t press him further. She understood he wouldn’t elaborate. She took a deep breath and walked inside. The room was filled with tension—Her parents and her grandmother were all present, their eyes cold, their silence heavy. It felt like a criminal standing in front of a panel of judges, no way out. “This is going to be tough,” Astrid murmured to herself, fear thick in her voice. Vincent Carson looked at his daughter with a furrowed brow, staring at her pale face. The concern in his eyes was clear, but he remained silent. Eira glanced at her sister, a smile curling up on her lips. "I can't wait to see how badly you will embarrass yourself this time.” Astrid faced the Riven family. Her heart sank as she noticed their expressions. Old Lady Slade’s lips curled in disdain, Aurora’s eyes contained hatred, and Riven stood like a pillar of ice, his gaze burning through her as if she were a criminal on trial. .They don't have a clue what I have been through, but they are all eager to judge me," Astrid clenched her fist and thought bitterly. She could feel the weight of condemnation pressing down on her. Her gaze finally landed on Riven, her husband. His jaw tightened and he wore a cold expression, his eyes filled with disdain. Astrid sighed in disappointment, murmuring, "Hell... everyone..." with a bitter smile playing on her lips. Eira broke the silence, her tone filled with mock concern, "Older sister, it's been three days since you left the house. We were all worried. At least you could have called us. Old Lady Slade's tone was filled with disdain, "You really have no shame. I don't understand why my son chose you. A married woman disappearing for three days without a word?" Aurora, Riven's sister, added, "Are you finally showing your true colors? After killing my brother, you pretended to be a saint. Now you can't keep up the act and have gone off seeking pleasure elsewhere."
Astrid felt as if her world had fallen apart. Seeing the five big men in black suits coming for her, a weak, pregnant girl, she felt like prey ready to be devoured. With a loud thud, she knelt down. She clasped her hands together and her lower lip trembling as she pleaded, “Please let my child live. I will do everything you ask me. As Astrid's words hung in the air, Freya’s eyes filled with tears as she watched her daughter beg for mercy. Her heart was filled with guilt as she didn't stand up for her. She couldn't help but look away. When Astrid noticed her mother's reaction, she turned to her father, her eyes full of hope as she crawled toward him and clutched his knees. “Father, save me. I'm still your loving daughter.” Seeing his daughter, who had always been so strong, reduced to this state made his heart soften for a moment. “Yes, you are my daughter. You were a good child, Astrid. Gentle, faithful, kind… but you’ve changed.” “But Father, I haven’t changed! I’m being fr
Astrid was stunned; the man smelled so good that she couldn’t help but inhale deeply. *Gosh, he smells of saffron and bergamot,* she thought, her senses momentarily overwhelmed. She was mesmerized by his striking features. She looked up at him, meeting his cold, detached eyes. He looked as though he had stepped out of a timeless painting, too perfect to belong to the real world. “What a fucking handsome dude,” she almost said aloud but managed to catch herself just in time. The man, meanwhile, seemed equally taken aback. The woman in his arms was stunning. Her piercing blue eyes held a depth that stirred something unfamiliar in him—an inexplicable urge to protect her. But the moment quickly shattered. Snapping back to reality, his expression hardened, and he pushed her away abruptly. Astrid staggered but caught herself. She hadn’t expected this sudden rejection and felt her already weak body wobble. “If you didn’t want to save me, you should’ve just let me fall,” she muttere
Krax could see the hatred in Astrid's eyes. Her piercing blue eyes made her look incredibly adorable. With the file his assistant had sent him, he could see that the woman had really suffered. But wait—did she really kill her brother-in-law? If so, what could have driven her to do that? Interesting, this is really interesting, he thought to himself while studying the woman who looked so innocent. She didn't seem like a killer. As he remained immersed in his thoughts, Astrid snapped out of hers and noticed Krax’s intense gaze fixed on her. She instinctively touched her face, wondering if something was wrong. “What?” she asked, annoyed, after realizing there was nothing out of place. Krax said nothing. Instead, he shifted his gaze from her and stared at the IV drip attached to her hand with an expressionless face. “You’re going to stay here for a week. We’ll talk about everything after you’re fully healed,” he said firmly. Astrid was stunned. “A full week? Are you kidding me? Wh
Josh followed behind Astrid. He stared at the beautiful woman, and many things were going through his mind. He wondered what his boss was thinking and what made him pay special attention to her. Astrid kept walking, glancing back and forth as her eyes scanned the environment, searching for an escape route. “Here might not be the best place to escape," she murmured. Her tone wasn't low, so Josh heard her speaking. “Are you talking to me, miss?" Josh asked. “No, no," Astrid shook her head and continued moving forward. As they were walking, Astrid saw a pregnant woman supported by her husband. The man held his wife gently. You could see the smile in his eyes as he shined with happiness. The man rubbed his hands on the woman's belly and said something only the two could hear. When Astrid saw them, the scene made her stop in her tracks. She was immersed in the scene and felt sad, and the memories she had been trying hard to hide flooded her thoughts. It's so beautiful. If onl
Josh's heart skipped a beat when he saw the caller. He took a deep breath to sound normal."B-Boss," he said, trying to hide the panic in his tone."Josh, I hope all is well," Krax said, noticing the tense in Josh’s voice.When Josh realized his boss could sense the uneasiness, he swallowed hard. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down."N-nothing, B-Boss," he stammered. His legs grew weak as he failed to conceal it anymore."Josh, you better tell me what's going on before I find out myself," Krax said in a cold, threatening tone. His chilly voice sent shivers down Josh's spine, making his hands tremble."Uhm... the lady you asked me to look after... she escaped," Josh said, almost dropping the phone with his shaky hands.Suddenly, the line went silent. Josh held his breath, not daring to wake the sleeping lion. After a couple of seconds, he wondered why it was quiet. He shifted the phone from his ear to check if his boss had hung up. The call was still connected."Boss..." Josh called ou
The room was freezing, the kind of cold that cut through to her bones. She clutched her stomach, trembling as sharp pain wracked her body. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she gritted her teeth against the stabbing pain. The bare room seemed to close in on her, amplifying her loneliness. She lifted her gaze to the clock. Each tick felt like an enemy, dragging time away. It was 11:00 p.m., and her husband still hadn't come home. With shaky hands, she reached for the phone on the bed. The cold air blew her hair as she struggled to dial her husband’s number. Her heart raced with every ring, and it felt like forever. Finally, the call came through. A woman with a sharp and mocking tone could be heard on the other end. “Hey, old witch, why are you calling my man at this hour?” the woman sneered. Her words hit her like cold water splashing on her face. She clenched her teeth, but the pain in her stomach was so intense, it overwhelmed the anger she fought to suppress. “Eira Carso
Josh's heart skipped a beat when he saw the caller. He took a deep breath to sound normal."B-Boss," he said, trying to hide the panic in his tone."Josh, I hope all is well," Krax said, noticing the tense in Josh’s voice.When Josh realized his boss could sense the uneasiness, he swallowed hard. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down."N-nothing, B-Boss," he stammered. His legs grew weak as he failed to conceal it anymore."Josh, you better tell me what's going on before I find out myself," Krax said in a cold, threatening tone. His chilly voice sent shivers down Josh's spine, making his hands tremble."Uhm... the lady you asked me to look after... she escaped," Josh said, almost dropping the phone with his shaky hands.Suddenly, the line went silent. Josh held his breath, not daring to wake the sleeping lion. After a couple of seconds, he wondered why it was quiet. He shifted the phone from his ear to check if his boss had hung up. The call was still connected."Boss..." Josh called ou
Josh followed behind Astrid. He stared at the beautiful woman, and many things were going through his mind. He wondered what his boss was thinking and what made him pay special attention to her. Astrid kept walking, glancing back and forth as her eyes scanned the environment, searching for an escape route. “Here might not be the best place to escape," she murmured. Her tone wasn't low, so Josh heard her speaking. “Are you talking to me, miss?" Josh asked. “No, no," Astrid shook her head and continued moving forward. As they were walking, Astrid saw a pregnant woman supported by her husband. The man held his wife gently. You could see the smile in his eyes as he shined with happiness. The man rubbed his hands on the woman's belly and said something only the two could hear. When Astrid saw them, the scene made her stop in her tracks. She was immersed in the scene and felt sad, and the memories she had been trying hard to hide flooded her thoughts. It's so beautiful. If onl
Krax could see the hatred in Astrid's eyes. Her piercing blue eyes made her look incredibly adorable. With the file his assistant had sent him, he could see that the woman had really suffered. But wait—did she really kill her brother-in-law? If so, what could have driven her to do that? Interesting, this is really interesting, he thought to himself while studying the woman who looked so innocent. She didn't seem like a killer. As he remained immersed in his thoughts, Astrid snapped out of hers and noticed Krax’s intense gaze fixed on her. She instinctively touched her face, wondering if something was wrong. “What?” she asked, annoyed, after realizing there was nothing out of place. Krax said nothing. Instead, he shifted his gaze from her and stared at the IV drip attached to her hand with an expressionless face. “You’re going to stay here for a week. We’ll talk about everything after you’re fully healed,” he said firmly. Astrid was stunned. “A full week? Are you kidding me? Wh
Astrid was stunned; the man smelled so good that she couldn’t help but inhale deeply. *Gosh, he smells of saffron and bergamot,* she thought, her senses momentarily overwhelmed. She was mesmerized by his striking features. She looked up at him, meeting his cold, detached eyes. He looked as though he had stepped out of a timeless painting, too perfect to belong to the real world. “What a fucking handsome dude,” she almost said aloud but managed to catch herself just in time. The man, meanwhile, seemed equally taken aback. The woman in his arms was stunning. Her piercing blue eyes held a depth that stirred something unfamiliar in him—an inexplicable urge to protect her. But the moment quickly shattered. Snapping back to reality, his expression hardened, and he pushed her away abruptly. Astrid staggered but caught herself. She hadn’t expected this sudden rejection and felt her already weak body wobble. “If you didn’t want to save me, you should’ve just let me fall,” she muttere
Astrid felt as if her world had fallen apart. Seeing the five big men in black suits coming for her, a weak, pregnant girl, she felt like prey ready to be devoured. With a loud thud, she knelt down. She clasped her hands together and her lower lip trembling as she pleaded, “Please let my child live. I will do everything you ask me. As Astrid's words hung in the air, Freya’s eyes filled with tears as she watched her daughter beg for mercy. Her heart was filled with guilt as she didn't stand up for her. She couldn't help but look away. When Astrid noticed her mother's reaction, she turned to her father, her eyes full of hope as she crawled toward him and clutched his knees. “Father, save me. I'm still your loving daughter.” Seeing his daughter, who had always been so strong, reduced to this state made his heart soften for a moment. “Yes, you are my daughter. You were a good child, Astrid. Gentle, faithful, kind… but you’ve changed.” “But Father, I haven’t changed! I’m being fr
They don't have a clue what I have been through, but they are all eager to judge me," Astrid clenched her fist and thought bitterly. She could feel the weight of condemnation pressing down on her. Her gaze finally landed on Riven, her husband. His jaw tightened and he wore a cold expression, his eyes filled with disdain. Astrid sighed in disappointment, murmuring, "Hell... everyone..." with a bitter smile playing on her lips. Eira broke the silence, her tone filled with mock concern, "Older sister, it's been three days since you left the house. We were all worried. At least you could have called us. Old Lady Slade's tone was filled with disdain, "You really have no shame. I don't understand why my son chose you. A married woman disappearing for three days without a word?" Aurora, Riven's sister, added, "Are you finally showing your true colors? After killing my brother, you pretended to be a saint. Now you can't keep up the act and have gone off seeking pleasure elsewhere."
The car came to a sudden halt, jolting the driver. His heart skipped a beat. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and glanced nervously at the young man sitting in the back seat.His boss lifted his eyes slightly from the tablet he was scrolling through. His lips pressed into a thin line. His voice was cold: “Why have we stopped?”The driver’s pulse quickened. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his hands. “A woman… she fainted in front of the car.”Silence filled the air, thick and suffocating. The boss didn’t move. The driver waited, heart racing.Finally, the boss’s voice cut through the silence, icy and calm: “Check who it is.”The driver’s eyes widened. This wasn’t like him at all.He hesitated before stepping out, his steps heavy. Kneeling beside the woman, he checked her pulse. His heart sank—her pulse was erratic.His voice trembled. “Boss… her pulse is irregular. She needs to go to the hospital now…”The driver fell silent, staring nervously at his boss. Why did he care so
The room was freezing, the kind of cold that cut through to her bones. She clutched her stomach, trembling as sharp pain wracked her body. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she gritted her teeth against the stabbing pain. The bare room seemed to close in on her, amplifying her loneliness. She lifted her gaze to the clock. Each tick felt like an enemy, dragging time away. It was 11:00 p.m., and her husband still hadn't come home. With shaky hands, she reached for the phone on the bed. The cold air blew her hair as she struggled to dial her husband’s number. Her heart raced with every ring, and it felt like forever. Finally, the call came through. A woman with a sharp and mocking tone could be heard on the other end. “Hey, old witch, why are you calling my man at this hour?” the woman sneered. Her words hit her like cold water splashing on her face. She clenched her teeth, but the pain in her stomach was so intense, it overwhelmed the anger she fought to suppress. “Eira Carso